Vibratory conveyor deck

Abstract

A vibratory conveyor for transporting an object has a first housing wall with a first wall support and a second housing wall with a second wall support. A deck has a first lateral edge engaging the first wall support and a second lateral edge engaging the second wall support, so that the deck extends along a deck path and defines a conveyor surface adapted to receive the object. A force assembly is mechanically coupled to the deck and applies a force that bends the deck into an arcuate cross-sectional profile.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 532,327, filed Dec. 23, 2003.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0002] This disclosure generally relates to vibratory process equipment and, more particularly, to decks used in vibratory conveyors. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0003] Vibratory conveyors are generally known in the art for transporting objects using a vibratory force. Such conveyors typically include a deck or other structure that has a conveying surface which defines a path along which objects are conveyed. Depending on the application, the path defined by the deck may be straight, curved, inclined, declined, spiral, or other configuration. [0004] The deck is typically constructed of plate steel. As a result, when viewed in cross-section, the conveying surface defined by the deck is typically “flat” across the width of the deck. Stated alternatively, the conveying surface is substantially linear across its wi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a vibratory conveyor deck that can be bowed to improve the conveyance of objects, such as cylindrical objects, on the deck. The deck is designed to have a conveying surface and a back surface, with a rib attached to the back surface and a force assembly attached to the rib. The force assembly applies a force to the rib to create a deck that is bowed either concavely or convexly. The bowed deck shape helps to orient cylindrical objects longitudinally on the deck and reduces the likelihood of damage to other objects on the deck. The bowed deck shape also allows for a more uniform and linear path for objects, such as in a spiral conveyor. The patent text also describes a method for creating a helicoid deck shape by using a cross-crimp design, which helps to avoid non-uniform stresses and wear areas. The patent text also describes a method for creating a deck with a concave bend, which further improves the conveyance of objects. Overall, the patent text describes a new design for vibratory conveyor decks that can improve the conveyance of objects and reduce damage to objects during transport.

Problems solved by technology

While a flat deck is satisfactory for many applications, it may cause unintended and undesirable results when used to convey certain objects.

In addition, the cylindrical objects may become oriented transversely across the deck, and therefore more easily roll into and possibly damage other objects on the deck.

Flat decks are also difficult to employ for certain path configurations.

Such cross crimps, however, create abrupt changes in the pitch of the deck and cause the conveying surface to be non-linear across its width.

Consequently, the cross-crimps create localized high wear area and non-uniform stresses in the deck.

These problems are exacerbated during thermal expansion and contraction, which can be significant when the spiral conveyor is used for heating or cooling of the objects being conveyed.

In addition, the need for cross crimps or other bends in the deck increases manufacturing costs and makes assembly more difficult, especially for conveyors that are constructed as multiple sub-assemblies that are mated together, such as for large conveyor sizes.

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